F+E+R+P+A

FERPA Page created by Debbi Badgley __Definition: __  According to ED.gov F E R P A is the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA. It is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. All schools, that receive funds from U.S. Department of Education, must comply with F E R P A. FERPA was established by the federal government in 1974 to protect the privacy of students. Even though the law has been amended several times, the fundamental idea has remained the same. In general, students have the right to review their educational records, to correct mistakes in records, and to be protected from unauthorized release of information. What is F E R P A will further define what F E R P A means to you as a teacher. __Impact and Best Practices for Teachers: __ __Tips to Teachers: __ • Do not display exam scores or grades in association with any names, ID numbers, social security numbers or any other personal identifies. Some teachers create an individual code that is kept private for each student- that technique is acceptable under FERPA. If you use this method, post the records in a random order. • It is advised to keep records of test scores and paper grades for at least one year. This will allow students adequate time to ask for a review of alleged clerical errors. FERPA is directly related to the confidentiality of student records. Student educational records are those records in which directly related to a student and are maintained by the school district or by an employee of the school district. __Student Educational Records include (but not limited to): __ •Family information, such as name and address of the student, parent or guardian, emergency contact information, date of birth, number of siblings, date and place of birth • Personal information, such as student identification number, social security number, picture, or list of personal characteristics that would make it easy to identify the student •Grades, test scores, courses taken, academic specializations and activities, and official letters about a student’s status in school • Special education records • Disciplinary records established and maintained by school officials • Medical and health records that the school collects and maintains <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Documentation of schools attended, courses taken, attendance, awards conferred, and degrees earned <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Videotape recordings of individuals or groups of students <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Some information about students is not considered an education record and is not subject to access or disclosure rules under The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Handwritten notes by teachers, supervisors, school counselors, and administrators which are used by substitute teachers or other replacement personnel <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Records created by law enforcement that are maintained separately from education records <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Employment records about a student who is employed by a school, education agency, or institution <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Information obtained about individuals after they are no longer students __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Responsibilities of Schools and Agencies that are important to understand as a teacher include: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• FERPA regulations require school districts and institutions to give annual notification to parents and eligible students of their rights to review education records and to request corrections of records they perceive to be inaccurate. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• FERPA, additionally, grants parents certain rights of access to their children’s education records and restricts disclosure of information. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• A school district is required to maintain accurate records <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Education records should avoid labeling students. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• School personnel should refrain from aimless talk, especially involving third parties. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• School records need to be maintained in a safe and secure location <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• Personnel should refrain from releasing information over the telephone, unless the identity of the other person has been fully established <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• A school district does have the right to charge a reasonable fee for the duplicating of records, but may not charge a fee to search or to retrieve education records. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">• School districts also must give public notice of any student directory information that is being released publicly and parents have the right to decline participation. Such notification of directory information can occur through a school newsletter, student handbook, or some other publication that parents reasonably can be expected to receive. An example of such a directory would be a sports roster where students’ height, weight and grade level would be available to the public. __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Annotated Web Links: __ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">ED.gov is a website that clearly defines what F E R P A is and the rights students, parents, and schools have and must follow. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">YouTube this is a short video that covers F E R P A for Elementary teachers. It defines and give important aspect of F E R P A. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This power point, by CFCC, covers F E R P A information, case studies, and a quiz. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Living in Dialogue is a blog in Education Week Teacher that covers some of the more recent amendments to F E R P A. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">F E R P A Training is a website that offers complete step by step training on F E R P A.